HTC One M9 (T-Mobile) Review
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The iterative HTC One M9 remains a physical jewel and a strong Android smartphone, but fails to take the next step.
MSRP $649.92
$159.99 at Amazon
449.99 For the latest plan and device pricing: 844-235-3939 at T-Mobile
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Pros
Fantastic design and build quality.
Fast performance.
Seamless software customization options.
MicroSD card slot.
Cons
So-so battery life.
Competitive, but still-disappointing camera.
Smartphone upgrades are typically biennial events, their significance only enhanced by how personal and essential the devices have become. When upgrading, it's not unreasonable to expect something that's better in ways that go beyond just specs. Therein lies the problem with the HTC One M9 ($649.92 or $27.08/month for 24 months). It feels only partially new, but wholly familiar, even stretching back two years to the original M7 . And it's not a familiarity that breeds comfort and confidence, but rather a type of upgrade ennui. For all of its beauty and speed, there's no single reason to choose the M9 over its predecessor, let alone its competitors. It's still the most gorgeous Android option around, but even the design advantage is beginning to wane. As the competition marches forward, HTC obstinately iterates. The M9 is an exceptional phone, but it's just not the best option out there.
Design, Features, and Network Performance No one doubts HTC's design prowess at this point. The basic formula is the same, but the M9 feels more precise and meticulously thought out than ever. I love its subtle, two-tone look, and the brushed finish is every bit as luxurious as last year's model, if not more so. Small details like sharper, more squared-off edges and a welcome tackiness to the finish help the M9 feel far more secure in the hand. The Power button is finally on the side, rather than the top, and properly textured to differentiate it from the neighboring Volume buttons. Don't mistake iteration with an absence of improvements. This is still the best-looking, best-handling Android smartphone available.
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The 5-inch, 1080p LCD remains visibly unchanged from last year. It's not as excessively sharp as Quad HD displays, but it's still top-notch. In side-by-side tests, though, it lags behind the Apple iPhone 6 display in terms of brightness and color reproduction. Whites look a bit cool on the M9 compared with the iPhone 6's clean, stark color. It also can't match the Galaxy S6 in terms of brightness, color richness, and contrast. Really, though, you'll never notice these deficiencies unless you're constantly comparing displays.
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